Soy- and linseed oil-based polyurethanes were synthesized by curing carbonated soybean and linseed oils with different diamines.

Moritz Bähr and Rolf Mülhauptfrom the Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF) and Department of
Macromolecular Chemistry, Germany, have developed a non-isocyante route to soy- and linseed oil-based polyurethanes. The route involved conversion of the epoxidised seed oils with carbon dioxide to form cyclic carbonates catalysed by tetra-butylammonium bromide and silica supported 4-pyrrolidinopyridium iodide. The catalysts could be easily recovered without needing traditional solvent extraction. The resulting carbonates were then cured with various amines to give the polyurethanes.

As well as avoiding the use of toxic chemicals, this route also led to some polkyurethanes with increased glass transition temperatures and improved stiffness. To find out more, just click on the article link below. This article is currently free to access until the 15th February 2012!